Golfweek

By SCOTT HAMILTON
Senior Writer

Nike Golf announced the appointment of Michael Pai as global category director for golf balls and golf bags, effective April 14.

Pai will be responsible for setting strategic direction and overseeing day-to-day management of the ball and bag businesses.

Previously, he served as vice president of marketing, advertising and tour promotions for Srixon USA. In that role, Pai was responsible for building Srixon’s brand awareness, increasing distribution and developing tour support, which included the signing of PGA Tour player Jim Furyk.

An industry veteran, Pai played an instrumental role in Callaway Golf’s entry into the ball category, and prior to joining Callaway, he worked for Maxfli Golf where he helped launch the Revolution franchise.

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As part of an expanding initiative to promote and grow the sport of golf, the Masters Tournament gave children between the ages of 8 and 16 free admission to the event for the first time in its 72-year history.

Youngsters, accompanied by adults, were given a special lapel pin and a junior grounds badge good for a day under the new Junior Pass Program.

Tickets to the tournament aren’t for sale to the general public and are available only to those on a patron list. The badges are listed for $175, but often are sold for much more through scalpers, ticket brokers and other third parties.

The junior program is one of several promotional initiatives launched by Billy Payne since he became chairman of Augusta National two years ago.

“(Club founders) Bob Jones and Cliff Roberts believed in advancing this game,” Payne said. “The vehicle they chose was the Masters Tournament. They reasoned that by putting on the best tournament possible, people would get excited about golf. Mr. Roberts wrote, ‘. . . that no public event ever stands still, but gets either better or worse. We are determined that our Tournament must constantly improve.’

“We are now building on that lofty goal by using our name and reputation to help ignite golf worldwide. We are not taking on this worthwhile endeavor by ourselves, but hope to work with other golfing bodies including the R&A.”

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Scott Hamilton is a Golfweek senior writer. To reach him e-mail shamilton@golfweek.com.
Posted: 4/14/2008

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